Single Publication

Fire Information: 307-395-2351  Email: 2024.fishcreek@firenet.gov

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wybtf-fish-creek-fire

August 24, 2024

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson 

Location:  7 miles SW of Togwotee Pass 

Start Date: Friday, August 16, 2024 

Cause: Lightning 

Size: 11,278 acres 

Resources: 331 Total Personnel; 1 Masticator; 1 Feller Buncher; 1 Helicopter; 8 Hand Crews; 13 Engines 

Key Messages:   

Highway 26 was reopened to public traffic on August 24. Drivers are asked to proceed with caution driving through the area near the fire. Please adhere to the posted lower speed limits and watch for fire traffic. There is potential for some smoke in the area. If fire activity is expected to compromise the safety on the highway the request will be made to the Wyoming DOT to close the highway on short notice. 

The Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests have issued an updated and joint closure order for the fire area. Details about this closure order can be found on the Fish Creek Fire inciweb site and the Forest’s websites. Several Forest Roads and entire areas are closed to public use for firefighter and public safety. 

Current Status: 

Yesterday, the fire was most active on the west side in the Cottonwood Creek and Maverick Creek drainages. The south side of the fire moved very little and is held up in open grassy meadows. On the east side, the 2007 Hardscrabble Fire scar has slowed fire movement. Firefighters scouted locations for both working on direct and indirect control lines, as well as utilizing natural barriers for control features to confine the fire within. 

Today, firefighters are planning to use some small firing operations on the east side of the fire to tie in the uneven edge working towards a more secure line. Crews will also begin constructing indirect fire line off the northeast corner of the fire working towards Highway 26. Additional indirect fire line locations will continue to be scouted in areas north of the fire, with the intent of protecting important values in case the fire gets established on the north side of Highway 26. 

Fire crews continued structure protection work including assessing the defensible space around structures and setting up pumps, hoses, and sprinklers in the Brooks, Pinnacle and Breccia areas. It is anticipated to take one to two days to prepare these areas with precautionary structure protection work in case the fire makes a push in that direction. 

Weather and Fire Behavior:  

Around the fire area temperatures will be slightly cooler today (56 to 61 degrees) after a weak cold front moved through. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon with the threat of lightning and gusty outflow winds. Winds will be 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 20 mph. Minimum relative humidity levels will range from 30 to 35%. There is a 60% chance of rain. 

Cooler and potentially wetter weather will dampen fuel moistures compared to yesterday. Limited fire activity is expected in the sage/grass with all growth today expected in the timber. Pockets of dead and down fuel will continue to burn. Some areas of moderate to high fire behavior may be observed where wind and slope align in heavy timber, especially in the Cottonwood Creek and Maverick drainages or if spotting occurs in heavily timbered stands. Maximum spotting potential is ¼ mile. 

Air Quality And Smoke: 

Air quality and smoke conditions and forecasts for wildfires throughout the western states can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/. 

Closures and Evacuations: 

The Fish Creek Area, Roads, and Trails Closure Order (map) has been established for public and firefighter safety. See full details at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/btnf/alerts-notices. 

For more information on the Fish Creek Fire, please visit the InciWeb page at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wybtf-fish-creek-fire and follow the Bridger-Teton on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) @BridgerTetonNF.  

Residents of the Brooks Lake, Pinnacle Drive and Breccia Drive area remain in the Level 2 Evacuation notice. A Level 2 Evacuation means “Be Set” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. See the alert notice on the Fremont County Fire Protection District Facebook page.  

US HWY 26/287 continues to experience smoke and sometimes limited visibility. Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is working closely with Fremont County Emergency Management and fire officials for the safety of motorists and firefighters. Drivers are encouraged to visit https://www.wyoroad.info/ prior to traveling on US HWY 26/287 for road status and information, or download the Wyoming 511 app at https://www.wyoroad.info/511/WY511Mobile.html to monitor for any changes due to fire activity. 

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Flying Prohibited: 

Federal, state, and local wildland fire management agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urge members of the public not to fly “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)” or drones over the Retreat Fire area. Unauthorized drone flights pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Wildland fires are a “no fly zone” for drones. If you fly, WE CAN’T!